CHARLESTON, IL (11/11/2026) Eastern Illinois University senior Laney Wright of Mattoon has been named EIU’s 2026 Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, earning statewide recognition for her academic achievement, leadership and commitment to serving her campus and community. Wright was celebrated alongside her peer 2026 Laureates in an October 24 ceremony in the Illinois State Capitol.
Wright is among a select group of students from Illinois colleges and universities recognized annually through the Lincoln Academy’s Student Laureate program. Each recipient receives the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award certificate, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin and a scholarship from the Lincoln Academy.
The recognition honors students whose contributions to their institutions and communities reflect the values exemplified by Abraham Lincoln, including scholarship, leadership and civic engagement.
At EIU, Wright is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in marketing and minors in meeting and event management and digital media technology. A member of the Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College, she maintains a 3.9+ GPA and is working toward the college’s Honors Scholar distinction.
Wright’s EIU experience has provided opportunities to develop her academic interests, gain professional experience, explore the world and take on leadership roles that extend well beyond the classroom.
“EIU has been a place of possibilities during my collegiate experience, and I am so grateful to the EIU staff, who made it possible for me to experience everything college has to offer,” Wright said about the award and her time at EIU.
“From study abroad to volunteer opportunities, EIU has given me a well-rounded experience that has helped me become the best version of myself. I attribute much of my success and growth to the people I have met at Eastern and the organizations I have been a part of. I am honored to represent EIU as a recipient of the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award,” she added.
Wright currently serves as president of EIU’s Epsilon Omega chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity, and is a member of the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology Dean’s Student Advisory Board. She also serves as publicity chair for the Association of Honors Students and is a member of the Newman Center Student Leadership Team. Her previous campus leadership roles include serving as a resident assistant in the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology Living Learning Community and mentoring first-year business students through EIU’s Freshman Connection program.
Her leadership has earned additional recognition, including the 2025 Registered Student Organization Officer of the Year award and the 2024 Emerging Leader Award, both presented by EIU’s Office of Leadership and Engagement. Delta Sigma Pi also recognized Wright as its Central Region Collegian of the Year, an honor recognizing students from chapters across Illinois and Indiana. She additionally received the Lumpkin College Marketing Faculty Excellence Award.
International experiences have been another important part of Wright’s education. Through EIU study abroad opportunities, she completed programs in Florence, Italy, in 2024, followed by studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2025. The experiences expanded her understanding of international business, art, entrepreneurship and different cultures while adding a global perspective to her academic and professional development.
Wright also has translated her classroom learning into practical marketing experience. She has served as a social media intern for EIU’s Pine Honors College since her first month at the university, helping promote students, events and opportunities. Through her work, she revitalized the college’s Instagram presence, increasing its following by 46% and expanding its reach by more than 11,500 despite a limited target audience and no paid promotion. She also has worked as a social media content creator for Vita Marketing in Mattoon, managing digital content and brand presence for local businesses. Additional experience includes a marketing internship and assistantship with the Mattoon Area Family YMCA.
Service to others has been a consistent part of Wright’s college experience. Since arriving at EIU in fall 2023, she has accumulated more than 300 hours of community service, supporting organizations and initiatives throughout Coles County and beyond. Her volunteer activities have included One Stop Community Christmas, Special Olympics, the Mattoon Community Food Center, the Coles County Animal Shelter, the Tyler Ross Jones Santa House and the Villas of Holly Brook assisted living facility. She has also participated in mission trips through the EIU Newman Center, including service at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. Her community involvement has been recognized with a key to the city of Mattoon, making her only the third recipient of the honor under the current mayor.
Wright’s selection as EIU’s Student Laureate reflects the combination of academic achievement, professional preparation, campus involvement and community service that has defined her time at the Charleston, Illinois-based University.
Since its establishment in 1975, the Lincoln Academy of Illinois has recognized more than 2,000 students through its Student Laureate program. The annual recognition celebrates outstanding college students whose achievements and contributions reflect the principles of democracy and humanity associated with Abraham Lincoln.
For more information about the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, visit lincolnacademyillinois.org
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EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s Public Information Office at (217) 581-7400.